Variation of the Descriptive Grain Size Distribution Along Cores From the Sebkha of Sidi El Hani, Eastern Tunisia

In this chapter, cores were the object of descriptive classifications of the grain size distribution, which were meant to describe the grain size continuous variability within cores and to correlate between them. The statistical treatment of the crude data was done on the basis of two different methods (the method of moments statistics and the method of inclusive graphic statistics) to compute statistical parameters of the grain size distribution such as mean and median. The correlations between cores were done on the basis of sand/silt/clay percentages. Even though it has given special care to test different methods of studying the grain size distribution, this study has not deviated from its primary purpose of investigating the filling of the playa; correlations between different cores were meant to infer their sedimentary dynamics.

Detection of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBL) Producing Bacteria in Sepsis Suspected Neonates

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is a clinical syndrome that is caused when the bloodstream of an infant is invaded by bacteria in the first month after birth. Objective: The objective of the study was to identify bacteria involved in the infection and to determine “extended-spectrum beta-lactamase” (ESBL) producing bacteria from blood samples of sepsis suspected neonates in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Baby Unit. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to July 2019 at Microbiology laboratory of Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital. A total of 380 venous blood specimens were included in the study. The blood culture was performed and organisms were identified with standard microbiological methods. The Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using the modified Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Screening of the organisms was done using cefotaxime and ceftazidime antibiotic disc and confirmation of ESBL was done by combined disk test. The data were considered statistically significant if the p-value was < 0.05. Results: Out of a total of 380 blood specimens, the prevalence of neonatal sepsis was found to be 21.05% among which 57.5% were EOS type and 42.5% were LOS type. In EOS, E. coli (72.73%) was the predominant isolate while CoNS (100%) was the predominant isolate in LOS. Of the total 80 isolates, 65% isolates were found multidrug-resistant (MDR) whereas 58.75% of isolates were found to be ESBL producers. Conclusions: This study concludes that routine bacterial surveillance and study of their resistance patterns is an essential component of the neonatal care unit. Keywords: Extended-spectrum β-Lactamases; neonates; neonate intensive care unit; special care baby unit; sepsis.

Art as a Vehicle for Compassion

I address the range of human experience and emotion in watercolor paintings. Watercolor, much like emotions, is unpredictable and requires special care to harness its infinitely varied and nuanced complexities. Creating such works requires forgiveness in how water and pigment interact, as well as the physical manifestation of subjective experience. These emotional paintings express topics ranging from gender and cultural identity, to mundane life experience. Vulnerability and empathy are required to portray hardship and loss in a manner that honors humanity’s lived experience. Working beyond the boundaries codified by narrative realism, this work seeks to offer a glimpse into the realm of the unknown. My primary themes focus on aspirations, secrets, and dreamlike qualities. For this reason, I call my work ethereal realism. These fleeting moments of inspiration, while difficult to grasp and attuned to distant memories, are fortified through an improvisational painting process. Using subtle symbolism in relation to nature and soft feminine figures, I invite the audience into an alternate space where trauma can be healed, and compassion takes hold. The paintings also make use of negative space, so that viewers can insert themselves in the paintings and infer what might lie beyond humanity. This work does not merely paint a picture of melancholy but opens a window to the divine.

Calibration of Siberian Radioheliograph antenna gains using redundancy

The paper describes application of standard gain calibration using redundancy for a 48-antenna prototype of Siberian Radioheliograph. Traditionally, for calibration, the visibilities were measured only between adjacent antennas since they have the highest signal-to-noise ratio and are sufficient for phase calibration. We have shown that this limited set of visibilities did not allow using the antenna array redundancy potential and obtaining images with a high dynamic range on a permanent basis. Images without amplitude calibration contain many artifacts and require special care when analyzed. The inclusion of visibility measurement between antennas with a double step made it possible to significantly increase the accuracy of solving the system of equations for amplitudes. Images constructed using both phase and amplitude calibrations do not have visible artifacts and are more reliable.

Calibration of Siberian Radioheliograph antenna gains using redundancy

The paper describes application of standard gain calibration using redundancy for a 48-antenna prototype of Siberian Radioheliograph. Traditionally, for calibration, the visibilities were measured only between adjacent antennas since they have the highest signal-to-noise ratio and are sufficient for phase calibration. We have shown that this limited set of visibilities did not allow using the antenna array redundancy potential and obtaining images with a high dynamic range on a permanent basis. Images without amplitude calibration contain many artifacts and require special care when analyzed. The inclusion of visibility measurement between antennas with a double step made it possible to significantly increase the accuracy of solving the system of equations for amplitudes. Images constructed using both phase and amplitude calibrations do not have visible artifacts and are more reliable.

“Extra-Special Care”

This paper reads Wes Anderson’s 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel through the lens of liturgical theology. It proposes that by revivifying collective memory—both its tragedies and joys—in a rhythmic, sensory, spatial, playful, and paradoxical way, the film forms our “social imaginary” for the better. In exploring the resonances between existing Anderson scholarship and liturgical theology, the paper highlights three key facets of the film: its implication of the present through the mythical stylization of the past; the relationship between M. Gustave and Zero, who find their place together as priest and acolyte of the Grand Budapest Hotel, enacting its liturgy of service against the rising tide of barbarism; and Anderson’s formal and aesthetic vision, which curates and elevates “found” objects and spaces, recognizing them as sacramental. Rejecting metaphysical dualism, the film suggests that communion and mystery are embedded in and enlivened by the material world.

Management of Prelabour Rupture of Membranes at Term, at Northland District Health Board.

<p>Background Prelabour rupture of membranes at term (PROM) is a subject of interest to women and maternity care providers alike. Management of PROM varies internationally, and regionally within New Zealand, despite the presence of interprofessional consensus statements. Northland District Health Board (NDHB) policy differs from most maternity care facilities by enabling expectant management of labour for women at low risk of transmission of Group β Streptococcus to their baby to extend to 96 hours from time of rupture of membranes. This study aimed to explore whether the NDHB policy was applied in practice and safely served the needs of women and babies in this DHB. Methods A retrospective quantitative clinical notes review was conducted of files in a one-year sample. The clinical notes of 123 women who had duration from ROM to birth at term of 18 hours or more were reviewed. Statistical comparisons using percentages, means and odds-ratios were made to a one-year sample of all other births at term at NDHB facilities, and with birth data from the New Zealand College of Midwives Clinical Outcomes Research Database (COMCORD). Findings Variables including demographic data, antenatal and intrapartum care given, time factors and outcomes themselves were reviewed. Few variables impacted outcomes within the PROM sample, though use of intravenous oxytocin was associated with increased epidural use and increased incidence of instrumental birth. Wāhine Māori had an increased incidence of vaginal births but some variables and outcomes highlighted inequities, including reduced antenatal screening, a higher incidence of maternal smoking, severe postpartum haemorrhage, and admission to Special Care Baby Units. Duration splits at 48 and 96 hours were applied to identify whether time increased risks for women or babies, but duration did not appear to be a factor which increased risk. The phenomenon of PROM itself increased risk for women and babies, increasing rates of labour induction, augmentation, epidural use, operative births, postpartum haemorrhage, admission to Special Care Baby Units and decreased exclusive breastfeeding at discharge. Conclusions The NDHB PROM policy appeared to be applied consistently and did not appear to increase risk for women and babies. Risks were increased for all women with PROM, with some inequitable outcomes for wahine Māori and pēpi. This research provides a comparison which is informative for clinical practice, education, and future research, and supports women’s involvement in decision-making.</p>